Chapter 2 Cambodia - ERIA

Though agriculture and rural development are classified as priority areas, public investment inthese sectors is still very low. According to the Public Investment Programme (PIP) 2010—12,the government planned to invest only 13 percent of the fund in agriculture. 6The government’s National Poverty Reduction Strategy (NPRS) 2003—05 recognizes the needto deepen and accelerate reforms and to focus limited resources on four pillars: agriculture andrural development, education, health, and infrastructure. Although both the government’s SEDPII and NPRS have identified general priorities for the rural sector, more work is needed todevelop concrete programs to revitalize the rural economy. To maximize impact, these plansneed to start with a clearer and more strategic articulation of priority actions that link reformsand investments to available resources, improve the focus on outcomes and results, andstrengthen the coordination among stakeholders. 7Rural infrastructure in Cambodia was developed gradually. The Ministry of Rural Developmentand other government agencies, in cooperation with the private sector, built roads, health centers,pagodas, and schools; dug water wells for drinking water, and provided education on primaryhealth care, among other interventions (see table 3.1).6 Public Investment Programme (PIP) 2010—2012.7 World Bank 2005.89